How often should i change my goldfish's water?

Question

There's only one of him and hes in about 8.57 litres of water, i don't i overfeed him either.

Answer 1

I would change it every two weeks, even if it doesn't look very dirty, as Goldfish are messy fish and poo alot. Fish waste produces chemicals that are toxic to them (Ammonia & Nitrite are the 2 main ones) and these are invisible, but they will be building up over time.

Think about it this way.. It's not nice swimming around and breathing in your own waste is it? ewwwww! So changing the water every couple of weeks will not only keep your fish home nice & clean, it will also re-aeriate the water and give your fish some fresh oxygen to breath.

The fact that you don't overfeed him is a good thing too, as not only is that bad for the fish, any excess food will rot in the gravel and create more toxins.

Keep up the good work :-)

Answer 2

Well, he's only in about 2 gallons of water.
I have no idea what "I don't overfeed" means to you.
To me, it would mean you feed him no more than 3 small pellets a day. Course that is, imo, still too much for how he is housed.
Without knowing exactly how much you do feed, I can't use that info to help you.

Anyway, 2 gallons is not enough for a goldfish. Goldfish are extremely messy, and they need a minimum of 3 gallons of water per inch of fish.

I am presuming this is a bowl, and I would say that if you intend to continue keeping him in such a small container, you should do a 100% water change 2 hours after you feed him -every- -time- you feed him (iow, wait til he poops, then do the change).

Personally, were I determined to keep a goldfish in a bowl, I would feed him once a week (regardless of the size of the bowl), and follow the above recommended water change schedule. In a cycled tank, I'd feed him twice a week.
I know there will be roars of protest at this, but fish are cold-blooded animals, and freshwater fish can go for 2 months before starving to death. Once a week is fine. Moreover, in a tiny environment like an unfiltered 2 gallon bowl, once a week is the best thing you can do for him.

Actually, the best you can do for him is get him a proper sized, filtered, aerated and cycled tank that is big enough for him to grow to maturity in.

If he is a fancy goldfish, he'll grow to 6 inches or more = minimum 18 gallons (68 liters).
If he's a common goldfish, he'll grow to a foot or more = 36 gallons (136 liters).

My personal opinion on proper goldfish-keeping is that they belong in yardponds, not in tanks or bowls.

Answer 3

I would do a 100% water change at least twice a week with that sized bowl/tank.

I would suggest getting a ten gallon (or larger) tank and then you can do 25% water changes once a week. It'll also make your fishie live longer. PS - the bigger the tank, the better.

Answer 4

OMG, what is a goldfish doing in a 2us gallon tank?

you're suppose to keep 1 goldfish in a 40 litre tank and not in a 8 litre tank

You will stunt his growth, shorten his life dramatically and with that give him a cruel death to die

Get a 40 litre tank as soon as possible, cycle it properly and then put him in, with that you need to do 25% weekly partial waterchanges with a gravel siphon


read throught the following liks and learn
http://fishlesscycling.com/articles/what_is_fishless_cycling.html
http://fishlesscycling.com/articles/how_to_do_a_fishless_cycle.html
http://www.firsttankguide.net/goldfish.php


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 5

depending on how large of a water change you do each time. I like doing smaller weekly water changes of about 15%-25% but if you prefer to do biweekly water chyanges then go a little larger with each change. Like around 25%-35% every other week.

Answer 6

Probably about once or twice a week.

Answer 7

You should change the way probably once a month and clean the tank while your at it.

Answer 8

You should clean your tank once a week.

Answer 9

whenever the water gets slimy green or looks gross